CVGA calls for `hard targets'

Macedon Ranges Guardian
Friday 9/11/2007 Page: 5

The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA), of which Macedon Ranges Shire is a member, is calling on the next Australian Government to adopt hard targets for greenhouse gas emissions and energy from renewable sources, plus a range of measures to improve energy efficiency and speed the adoption of renewable energy.

CVGA chairman, Dr Ian MacBean, said the post-election government must set an emissions target which "matches the scale of the challenge." "With the current rate of increase in emissions, we have a maximum of 10 years to have even half a chance of maintaining a healthy environment for both humans and other species," said Dr MacBean. "CVGA believes the next government needs to adopt and enforce the targets of a 30 per cent reduction by 2010 and 100 per cent by 2020. We need to sign on to Kyoto and subsequent international agreements to enable Australia to benefit from global carbon trading.

"In addition, increasing renewable energy targets would provide certainty for renewable energy investors, and we need substantial changes to federal regulations, incentives, investment and information. These would support and generate development and uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives." The organisation's public comments follow the first of a series of CSIRO reports commissioned by the CVGA, which found that central Victoria has the capacity to supply all its energy needs from local sustainable energy sources.

The report says that the region has "vast resources for electricity from large scale solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, wind or biomass. .. (which could) individually or together. .. supply all required electricity generation. .." Dr MacBean said that while central Victoria's economy, especially rural industries, was already feeling the impact of climate change and water shortages, new industries generating, utilising and supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency had great potential to benefit the region and provide employment in the face of anticipated job losses.

"A target of supplying even just 25 per cent of Australia's energy needs with renewable energy by 2020 would deliver thousands of new jobs Australia-wide and provide enough electricity to power every home in Australia. Central Victoria's assets mean it could claim a large share of those industries and jobs," he said. "We have the commitment, the technology and the knowledge. What we need now is targets, measures, regulation and legislation which will enable businesses, communities and all levels of government to work towards this vital common goal," he said.

The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, established in 2000, is an incorporated association comprising 14 local governments, and nine business, government and community organisations.